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As I have stated SHTF means something different to everyone. But what it really comes down to is any major change on daily life. I know we have had similar threads in the past but I will tell mine here. I know it is a long read.
I have been on very little lately due to life getting in the way. I have been working 72hr weeks for a couple of months. When I am not working I am remodeling my house and building a shop. Part of the reason for this is I just got married last Sunday and I needed a place for her and the kids.
Construction here has not been going as fast as it should so I decided to take this week off work. Sunday my brother was around to help me do some of the large/heavy work I can not do on my own. We headed out to get the trusses set on the shop.
We were moving the first truss over and had it almost there. My brother was using a wide platform on top of a dump truck on the "heavy" end. The boys were sliding the light side along the beam using a long 2x4 and I was helping stabilize the middle using an 8' ladder. So I would set the ladder, stabilize, they would slide one end, I would reposition.
On about the 5th move I was on the way down the ladder. Maybe the 3rd, possibly the 4th rung and all of a sudden me and the ladder were falling. I am not exactly sure how I landed but I know the ladder and my tool belt "broke" my fall I am not exactly sure what happened to my right knee but I knew I had twisted it bad. I had instant pain and "laying" on the ground I could not find a spot to move it that did not hurt.
After a minute the wife came out and helped me into a chair. I was trying to be tough and "walk" it off, but this is one of those hurts you know you REALLY hurt yourself. Being a paramedic both makes you more knowledgeable and stubborn at the same time. So after sitting for a few and thinking I was going to have to go to the ER, but putting it off as long as possible, I got an ATV ride over to the house. I tried to hobble my way up the steps and felt something in my knee "come out" and back in. It was at that point I decided that a trip to the ER was in order.
ER took x-rays and no breaks, but I did suspect that, assumed major soft tissue damage. Now I am in a knee brace, on crutches.
So where does the SHTF come into this, well all of it?
First off any time you break or damage any part of your body you do not realize how much you use it, until you can't. Simple things like taking my right sock off, going to the bathroom, getting food from kitchen, ect. Carrying stuff with crutches does not work.
Second, long guns, forget it. Handguns still provide a challenge. Even then there is no "moving" and shooting.
Third and probably one of the bigger things, finances.
ER and specialist bill (even with insurance), plus whatever else it ends up costing.
Luckily I don't think I am going to miss out on any work, but I might depending on what they find wrong with it. It is good to have as few bills as possible and have a bit of money in savings.
Food, I have a well stocked pantry.
While it is only short term it only takes a second for a "life changing" event to happen. This is probably one of the most realistic SHTF scenario most people will face. Stay safe out there.
I have been on very little lately due to life getting in the way. I have been working 72hr weeks for a couple of months. When I am not working I am remodeling my house and building a shop. Part of the reason for this is I just got married last Sunday and I needed a place for her and the kids.
Construction here has not been going as fast as it should so I decided to take this week off work. Sunday my brother was around to help me do some of the large/heavy work I can not do on my own. We headed out to get the trusses set on the shop.
We were moving the first truss over and had it almost there. My brother was using a wide platform on top of a dump truck on the "heavy" end. The boys were sliding the light side along the beam using a long 2x4 and I was helping stabilize the middle using an 8' ladder. So I would set the ladder, stabilize, they would slide one end, I would reposition.
On about the 5th move I was on the way down the ladder. Maybe the 3rd, possibly the 4th rung and all of a sudden me and the ladder were falling. I am not exactly sure how I landed but I know the ladder and my tool belt "broke" my fall I am not exactly sure what happened to my right knee but I knew I had twisted it bad. I had instant pain and "laying" on the ground I could not find a spot to move it that did not hurt.
After a minute the wife came out and helped me into a chair. I was trying to be tough and "walk" it off, but this is one of those hurts you know you REALLY hurt yourself. Being a paramedic both makes you more knowledgeable and stubborn at the same time. So after sitting for a few and thinking I was going to have to go to the ER, but putting it off as long as possible, I got an ATV ride over to the house. I tried to hobble my way up the steps and felt something in my knee "come out" and back in. It was at that point I decided that a trip to the ER was in order.
ER took x-rays and no breaks, but I did suspect that, assumed major soft tissue damage. Now I am in a knee brace, on crutches.
So where does the SHTF come into this, well all of it?
First off any time you break or damage any part of your body you do not realize how much you use it, until you can't. Simple things like taking my right sock off, going to the bathroom, getting food from kitchen, ect. Carrying stuff with crutches does not work.
Second, long guns, forget it. Handguns still provide a challenge. Even then there is no "moving" and shooting.
Third and probably one of the bigger things, finances.
ER and specialist bill (even with insurance), plus whatever else it ends up costing.
Luckily I don't think I am going to miss out on any work, but I might depending on what they find wrong with it. It is good to have as few bills as possible and have a bit of money in savings.
Food, I have a well stocked pantry.
While it is only short term it only takes a second for a "life changing" event to happen. This is probably one of the most realistic SHTF scenario most people will face. Stay safe out there.